America Ferrera to Receive SeeHer Award at This Year’s Critics Choice Awards

America Ferrera has earned a special honor…

The 39-year-old Honduran American award-winning actress will receive the annual SeeHer Award at the 29th annual Critics Choice Awards during next month’s ceremony.

The award honors a woman who advocates for gender equality, portrays characters with authenticity, defies stereotypes and pushes boundaries.

Previous recipients include Viola Davis, Gal Gadot, Claire Foy, Kristen Bell, Zendaya, Halle Berry and Janelle Monáe in 2023.

Ferrera had a huge year co-starring in the year’s biggest box office blockbuster, Warner Bros’ Barbie, as well as Dumb Money. She received the Groundbreaker Award earlier this month at the Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Cinema & Television: Honoring Black, Latino and AAPI Achievements.

She’s also was nominated for the Critics Choice supporting actress award as part of Barbies haul of a leading 18 nominations. Winners will be revealed in a ceremony set to air January 14 on the CW with Chelsea Handler hosting.

Ferrera, an Emmy winner for Ugly Betty, has acting credits that include Real Women Have Curves, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Superstore. She also directed and executive produced both Superstore as well as Netflix’s Gentefied, and she is making her feature directoral debut with the adaptation of the bestselling novel I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter.

As an activist, Ferrera helped launch Poderistas, a digital lifestyle community and nonprofit to empower Latinas, and Harness, a community of artists, influencers and leaders focused on art and storytelling that creates a more equitable world.

She has been a keynote speaker at the Democratic National Convention and March for Our Lives among other events.

John Ortiz to Star in Netflix’s Limited Series “The Madness”

John Ortiz is embracing the madness

The 54-year-old Puerto Rican actor has been cast opposite Colman Domingo in Netflix’s limited series The Madness.

John OrtizThe conspiracy thriller hails from Chernin Entertainment via its first-look deal with Netflix, creator and co-showrunner Stephen Belber  and co-showrunner VJ Boyd.

In The Madness, media pundit Muncie Daniels (Domingo) must fight for his innocence and his life after he stumbles upon a murder deep in the Poconos woods. As the walls close in, Muncie strives to reconnect with his estranged family – and his lost ideals – in order to survive.

Ortiz plays Franco Quinones, a longtime FBI field agent with strong convictions and a relentless approach to his work.

Clément Virgo will direct and executive produce the first two and final two episodes. Quyen Tran and Jessica Lowrey will each direct two middle episodes.

Ortiz starred as Joe Sandoval in drama series Promised Land, which aired for one season on ABC. On the film side, he recently wrapped filming The Mothership opposite Halle Berry.

He’s currently filming a key recurring role in Apple’s Bad Monkey opposite Vince Vaughn.

Pedro Pascal to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Academy Awards Show

Image

Pedro Pascal is headed to the Oscars

The 47-year-old Chilean actor appears on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences’ final list of names chosen as presenters for the 95th annual Academy Awards.

Pedro Pascal

In addition to Pascal, the latest round of stars set to present includes Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Paul Dano, Cara Delevingne, Kate Hudson, Mindy Kaling, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Andie MacDowell, Elizabeth Olsen and John Travolta, executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner and executive producer Molly McNearney have announced.

Hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 12, at Ovation’s Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide starting at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Previously announced Oscars presenters include Riz Ahmed, Halle Bailey, Antonio Banderas, Elizabeth Banks, Emily Blunt, Jessica Chastain, John Cho, Glenn Close, Jennifer Connelly, Ariana DeBose, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Grant, Danai Gurira, Salma Hayek Pinault, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan, Nicole Kidman, Troy Kotsur, Jonathan Majors, Melissa McCarthy, Janelle Monáe, Deepika Padukone, Florence Pugh, Questlove, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver and Donnie Yen.

Cardi B Confirms She’s Hard at Work on Her “Invasion of Privacy” Follow-Up Album

Cardi B is hard at work on her new album…

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar took to Instagram to release a 14-minute video in which she confirms that she’s hard at work on the follow-up to her smash 2018 Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy.

Cardi B

“… I gotta put out this album next year,” she said of the as-yet-untitled LP. “Not only do I gotta put out an album, but I gotta record a movie, I’ve got to do so much s–t y’all!.”

The film Cardi B appears to be referencing is the comedy Assisted Living, the follow-up to her co-starring role in Jennifer Lopez’s Hustlers, her first big acting role. 

Cardi B also detailed juggling her life as a mother of two with grinding hard on her anticipated projects.

“Everything be looking so glamorous, you see my f—ing Instagram and everything, but it’s been really… it’s been a lot,” said Cardi B in the clip, in which she’s rocking a wool hat and red shades. “Trying to balance out my new motherf—ing life, like I got two kids, my daughter’s going to school now and I have like a lot of jobs now.”

In an interview with XXL earlier this year, Cardi B said she had planned to have a second studio album out this year, but the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a series of delays.

“I feel like at this point, it’s like a timeline that I created. Because last year I was like: ‘I gotta put out my album this year,’” she said at the time. “But, then I just stopped working on my album out of nowhere because I feel like the whole COVID thing discouraged me to put out my album. Because I want to put out an album, and I want to tour.”

In addition to her collab on Lizzo’s “Rumors,” and “Wild Side” with Normani, Cardi B recently dropped “Bet It” from the Halle Berry drama Bruised. And though she complained in the video about being sick lately and not feeling her best — repeatedly complaining about being “hot” and wanting to take medicine and crawl into bed at 7 p.m.

Christina Aguilera to Receive Inaugural Music Icon Award at People’s Choice Awards

Christina Aguilera is officially an icon

The 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-winning singer will receive the inaugural Music Icon at award at the People’s Choice Awards next week, joining an honorees list that includes Halle BerryDwayne Johnson and Kim Kardashian.

Christina AguileraE! and NBC have announced that Becky G will present the award to Aguilera, who has also appeared in films (Burlesque) in addition to being a coach on NBC’s The Voice.

The award will be given for her contributions to the music industry; she will also perform during the December 7 broadcast.

Johnson is receiving The People’s Champion award during the ceremony, which is being simulcast on NBC and E! at 9:00 pm ET/PT Tuesday.

Berry will be honored with the People’s Icon award during the show, while Kardashian will receive the Fashion Icon award.

A total of 40 categories are up for grabs during the December 7 ceremony (see the nominees here).

Winners are decided by online fan voting.

Cardi B Releases New Single “Bet It” for New Halle Berry MMA Film “Bruised”

Cardi B isn’t afraid to get Bruised

The 29-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar has released the grinding new single “Bet It” for the soundtrack to the new Halle Berry MMA film Bruised.

Cardi B

Cardi B executive produced the landmark album featuring all-female rappers alongside Berry — who also makes her directorial debut with the film — taking listeners on a steely eyed trip through her rise to global superstardom over a chilled-out beat, subtle strings and a prominent Spanish-language sample.

 

“And my life is a movie, only Cardi could direct it/ Only take cash, they ain’t never gave credit/ Had to risk it all in myself so I bet it/ Started on the pole, in the end don’t regret it,” Cardi raps in the first verse, in which she takes shots at haters who’ve tried to question her authenticity.

The chorus of the Cool and Dre-produced song prominently features a swaying sample of “Algo de Mí” by Camilo Sesto, the 1972 title track from the Spanish singer’s debut album.

The second verse dips into more torn-from-the-headlines career highlights, as Cardi B spits, “I got dressed for the stages, got dressed for the court/ Dressed for my husband, told him ‘Rip this s–t off/ Got dressed for the GRAMMYs, then I left with awards/ Hundred thousand dollars dress left on the floor/ They was losin’ they mind when I hit the Met Gala/ Tail so long, it dragged thirty minutes after.”

Cardi B also casually mentions her mansion (and its in-house chef) as well as plans to set up her three-year-old daughter with husband Offset, Kulture. In the end, well, she all she does is win. “Now I get a big bag, that’s a big move/ From the Bronx to the ‘burbs, make big moves/ Rock red bottoms, made ’em big shoes/ Play goose, and I’m so focused/ ‘Cause the money never made me bein’ broke b—h.”

In a recent interview about the movie, Berry said she wanted a powerful roster of women on the soundtrack of the film about a disgraced MMA fighter who steps back into the octagon after her infant son comes back into her life.

“When I thought of what would be the voice that would be the pinnacle of what this soundtrack could be, of course I thought of the queen. Like who wouldn’t want to have a Cardi B song and have her voice and have her talents on their debut?” Berry said.

The actress/director noted that there were initially some copyright issues with the track that affected its ability to get cleared, but after Cardi B fought for its inclusion they worked it out. “Cardi, being so of her word, didn’t say, ‘Oh, it can’t happen.’ She went the extra mile and you made sure that we got the rights to use the record,” Berry said. “I can say, honestly, not everybody would have done that, and I so respect you. You said yes, and you stood by your word.”

City Girls, H.E.R., Saweetie and Baby Tate all feature on soundtrack, in addition to Flo Milli, Rapsody, Erica Banks, Young M.A. and Latto.

City Girls’ “Scared” and Baby Tate’s “Dungarees” were the first two songs available from the collection; the Bruised soundtrack is out now and the film — in theaters now — will hit Netflix on November 24.

John Ortiz to Star in Sci-Fi Adventure Feature “The Mothership”

John Ortiz is boarding the mothership…

The 53-year-old Puerto Rican actor will star opposite Omari Hardwick and Molly Parker in The Mothership, a sci-fi adventure feature from MRC Film, Automatik and Netflix. Halle Berry previously was announced to star in and executive produce the film.

John Ortiz

Oscar-nominated Bridge of Spies screenwriter Matt Charman is directing the film, which will mark his feature debut.

Charman also penned the screenplay, which follows Sara Morse (Berry) one year after her husband mysteriously vanished from their rural farm. When she discovers a strange, extraterrestrial object underneath their home, Sara and her kids embark on a race to find their husband, father and, most important, the truth.

Ortiz’s recent credits include Horse Girl, SXSW drama The Fallout and the Netflix series Messiah.

Rita Moreno Among the “Cast” for This Year’s Academy Awards Show

Rita Moreno has a special date with Oscar…

The producers of this year’s 93rd annual Academy Awards have cast an ensemble of 15 stars to handle all the presenting duties, including the 89-year-old Puerto Rican actress, singer and dancer.

Rita Moreno

Moreno, one of the few artists to have won all four major annual American entertainment awards: an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award, is part of a “cast” that includes last year’s Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix, Renee Zellweger, Brad Pitt and Laura Dern.

It’s part of the producers’ pledge to do the entire broadcast as if it were a movie itself.

Last year’s Best Director winner, Bong Joon Ho, who made four trips to the stage for Parasite, is also part of this ensemble, presumably to present Best Director.

Other names announced — in alphabetical order — are Angela Bassett, Halle Berry, Don Cheadle, Bryan Cranston, Harrison Ford, Regina King, Marlee Matlin, Reese Witherspoon and Zendaya.

“In keeping with our awards-show-as-a-movie approach, we’ve assembled a truly stellar cast of stars,” said producers Jesse Collins, Stacey Sher and Steven Soderbergh. “There’s so much wattage here, sunglasses may be required.”

This idea of having a set group of presenters rotating in and out of the show is not new. When producer Gower Champion reimagined the 1969 Oscar show, he created what they called “Friends of Oscar,” with 10 stars exclusively serving as presenters (and no host). The format was then repeated successfully the next year, and has been tweaked occasionally over the decades — including for the innovative 2009 show produced by Bill Condon and Laurence Mark, which used combinations of five past winners each to present the acting awards.

Additional talent joining the April 25 live broadcast on ABC will be announced later.

Michael Peña to Star in Roland Emmerich’s Sci-Fi Epic “Moonfall”

Michael Peña is out of this world

The 45-year-old Mexican American actor has been cast in the Roland Emmerich-helmed sci-fi epic Moonfall.

Michael Peña

Peña joins an A-list ensemble cast that includes Halle Berry, Patrick Wilson, John Bradley, Eme Ikwuakor, Charlie Plummer and Donald Sutherland.

The space drama takes off with a mysterious force that knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact, and against all odds, a ragtag team launches an impossible last-ditch mission into space, leaving behind everyone they love and risking everything to land on the lunar surface and save our planet from annihilation.

Peña is taking over the role previously held by Stanley Tucci, who had to exit the project due to government-imposed travel restrictions banning UK flights into Canada.

Peña will play Tom Lopez, a wealthy car dealer who is married to Brian Harper’s (Wilson) ex-wife, the loving and fierce Brenda, played by Carolina Bartczak.

Emmerich, Harald Kloser, and Spenser Cohen penned the screenplay.

Centropolis is overseeing all aspects of production, financing, delivery, and distribution and marketing in collaboration with Lionsgate, AGC Studios, and other distribution partners. Lionsgate is distributing the film in North America.

Moonfall is set to hit theaters in 2022.

Peña will soon be seen starring in the Warner Bros. live-action/animation hybrid Tom & Jerry, slated to debut on HBO Max and in theaters on February 26.

Lela Loren to Star Opposite Kevin Hart in Sony’s Action Comedy “Man From Toronto”

Lela Loren is Toronto bound.

The 40-year-old half-Mexican American actress has joined the cast of Sony’s action comedy Man From Toronto.

Lela Loren

The film stars Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson and Kaley Cuoco.

The film centers around a case of mistaken identity after the world’s deadliest assassin, known as the “man from Toronto,” and a stranger, played by Hart, run into each other at an Airbnb. Chaos soon ensues as the assassin’s world comes crashing down on Hart.

Patrick Hughes is on board to helm. Robbie Fox and Chris Bremner wrote the script from a story he conceived with Jason Blumenthal.

The film is set to debut on September 21, 2021.

Loren will star on the third season of the Starz series American Gods from Neil Gaiman, which will start airing in January.

Most recently she starred opposite Anthony Mackie in Netflix’s second season of Altered Carbon. She also has the Halle Berry film Bruised, which Netflix just acquired at Toronto.